Display fixture



M. D. MENDLE.

DISPLAY FIXTURE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 17, 1920.

Patented Oct. 3, 1922,

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

M. D. MENDLE.

DISPLAY FIXTURE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 17. 1920.

Patented Oct. 3, 1922.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

M. D. MENDLE.

DISPLAY FIXTURE.

APPL ICATION FILED MAY 17, 1920.

1], ,430,666, Patented Oct. 3, 11922.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

M. D. MENDLE.

DISPLAY FIXTURE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 17, I920. 1,430,666, Patented Oct. 3, 1922.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

d ii,

a Fin 0 IVIILION 'D. NEEDLE, OI? ST. LOUIS, IJJIISSO'URI, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN FIXTURE SHOVFGASE IPIFG. COMRP'INY, OF ST. LQ'UIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MIS- SQURI.

Application filed May 17,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Mimou D. Mnnnnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of St. Louis, State of ltiissouri, have invented a certain new and useful improve ment in Display Fixtures of which the tollowing is a specification, i. rence being had to the accompanying dra .n s, forming a part thereof.

This invention relates generally to display-fixtures for garments, clothing, and other wares and merchandise and, more particularly, to a certain new and useful improvement in that class of fixtures adapted especially for use in stores, show-rooms, and the like for the display of merchandise tor exhibition and selling purposes. 1

The principal objects of my present invention are to provide an e'lticient fixture of the class stated so constructed as to attractively display a considerable quantity of merchandise within a relatively small, and thereby efiiect an economy in, floor-space, and at the same time readily permit convenient access to all the displayed merchandise for close inspection or exhibition or individual or selective removal; to provide a fixture of the class stat-ed oi (omparatively simple and i,ne:-:pensive, and yet durable, strong construction with a relatively great merchandise-supporting capacity; and to improve generally upon and simplify the construction of fixtures of the class mentioned.

l Vith the above and other objects in vie my present invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts hereinafter described and afterwards pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a display-mature embodying my invention, the fixture being shown in so-called open condition;

Figure 2 is a similar view of the fixture in socalled closed condition;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the fixture in open condition;

Figure a is a transverse sectional. view of the fixture, taken approximately on the-line a e, Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a front elevational view of rinrn'nn.

1926. Serial No. 382,157.

the'fixture shown in connection with or as located within an enclosing cabinet or cassa' v i c Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view of the cabinet or casing of Figure 5, taken approximately on the line 66, Figure 5, showing the enclosed fixture substantially in plan view;

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail, fragment-a1 broken view, partly in section, of the fixture;

Figure 8 is a Vertical sectional view of the fixture, taken approximately on the line 88, Figure l; and

Figures 9 and 10 are plan and side elevational views, respectively, of a slightly modified form offixture also embodyingimy inventi0n,'the fixture being similarly shown in both views in so-called open condition.

Referring now more in detail to the said drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, the fixture comprises a pair of side members or standards disposed in parallel relation and suitably spaced longitudinally. oi the fixture, each side-member or stand-c ard including rear and front uprights 1l', respectively, preferably of pipe-bar construction, spaced transversely of the ixture, and'upper and lower cross-bars 22, respectively, preferably of channel form or construction, rigidly fixed at their ends to the uprights 1-1. as a whole enclosed within a suitable cabinet or casing, such as the cabinet or casing C shown in Figures and 6, for protecting the displayed garments or other merchandise from dust and the like, in which case the uprights 1-1 are preferably rigidly fixed at their upper and lower ends to the top and fioor walls of the cabinet, although it will be understood that the cabinet or cas upper cross-bar 2 is disposed adjacent the upper ends of the uprights 1-1 with its flanges presented inwardly, the lower flanges of the opposite bars 2 providing rails or track-ways for suitable rollers 3 journaled for rotation upon a garment or merchan- The fixture is, usually.

disc-supporting member preferably in the form of a tubular bar t disposed longitudinally of the fixture between the standards. As also seen especially in Figures 1, 2, and 8, lower cross-bar 2 is disposed preferably approximately midway the length of the uprights 1-1 similarly with its flanges presented inwardly, and fixed lengthwise upon the lower flanges of the opposite crossbars 2 are racks 5, meshing for movement with which are pinions 6-6 fixed upon the ends of a shaft 7 disposed longitudinally of the fixture between tie standards. Sleeved lengthwise and suitably bearing upon the shaft '7, as seen particularly in Figure 7, is a second garment or merchandise supporting-member also preferably in the form of a tubular bar 8.

Disposed vertically of the fixture, preferably adjacent the side standards, and suitably iiXed at their ends to and connecting the bars land 8, so that the same may move in unison transversely of the fixture, are bars 9-9, the bars 1, 8, and 9 forming what may be described as a merchandise-supporting or displaying frame.

Having yoke-shaped rear ends adapted to straddle the cross-bars 2-2 at, and suitably apertured to fit pivotally; upon, the front uprights 1, are swingable arms 10-10, each such arm being suitably'bent or constructed to project at its inner or forward end, when the arm is swung to closed pos tion, or to the position thereof illustrated in Figure 4-,

at right angles to the vertical plane of the side standard; and rigidly fixed to the inner or forward ends of the arms 10-10 of each standard to project in parallel. relation longitudinally of the fixture when the arms are in such closed position, are additional upper and lower garment or merchandise supporting-members likewise preferably in the form of bars 11-11. Disposed vertically of the fixture, and suitably fixed t9, and connecting the free cuts of, the bars 11-11, so that the same and their support ing-arms may likewise swing in unison, is a bar 12, the bars 11, 11, and 12 constituting what might be also described. as a merchandise supporting frame. By reference particularly to Figures 4 and 6, it will be noted. that the swingable displaying-frames are of such relative dimensions that the same may freely swing upon and between the position is easily accof'n 13-14 will extend lengthwise closely adjacent, and appr :rimately parallel with, the side standards, as best seen in Figures l and 6.

ln exhibiting the displayed merchandise to a prospective customer, for instance, the several frames are preferably moved by the salesman to so-called open position or to the position thereof illustrated both in full and dotted lines in Figure 3, when all the displayed merchandise is ctively presented to the customer and SGlGCbll'E "novel of any one or more of the garments for inspection or other purpose made most convenient; and such movement of the several frames to open plished by a mere outward swinging of either one or other, or both, of the front frames, the connecting links 13-14 between the seve; ,1 frames causing the rear frame to travel forwardly between the standards and synchronizing travel with the movement of the swin frames. In later or again moving the f to so-called closed or normal positithe front frames, either one or both, are 27 versely swung to their longitudinal po between thestandards, when the rear will be likewise caused to travel rearwardly between the standards to its original position. This synchronized travel or movement of the several frames is largely facilitated by the meshing engagement of the racks 5 and pinions 6, which obviate any binding or slippage at one or the other side of the rear displaying frame in its reciprocatory travel and eilect even, regular, and uniform movement of the several frames to and from open position. At the same time, it may be observed that the meshing racks 5 and pinions 6 provide more or less of a loot:

for holding or maintaining the several displaying-frames in either open or closed position during movement of the fixture as wholefrom one location to another apositive, even though light, pull or pr ure being required in moving the several displ ingframes to overcome the friction between the racks and pinions.

in Figures 1 to 8, both ii'iclusivi-z, l have, for illustration, shown the fixture as dis playing clothing or garments. 9 and 10, I show the fixture slightly modified to accommodate the display of a dif- *erent class of merchandise, the fixture for such purpose being equipped with the merchandisesupporting shelves S, as shown. In the fixture as so modified, I preferably vertically enlarge the rear merchandise supporting-frame by additional bars 15 disposed. in alignment with the bars 9 and mount upon the rear frame the vertical series of shelves, as best seen in Figure 10. I also preferably enlarge each Tent nierchandisc supporting frame by the addition of a lower swinging arm 10 and 11, the

ln Figures llO matinee latter being connected at its free end to the outer end of the intermediate bar 11 by a verticallydisposed bar 12. Disposed between, and connecting, the several arms 10, 10, and 10 adjacent the upright 1, as also best seen in Figure 10, are vertically disposed bars 1616, and disposed between and fixed at their ends to the bars 12-.-12 and 1616, intermediate the main bars 11, l1, and 11", are additional cross-bars 1717. Arranged and fixed on the cross bars ll, l1, l1", and 17 of each of the :front merchandising displaying-frames, is a vertically disposed series of the shelves S, as likewise best seen in Figure 10. I

My new fixture may be made of any suitable size or dimensions to meet the requirements of any particular line of business or merchandise to be displayed or exhibited. In comparison to the displaying capacity of the fixture, the floor-space occupied is relatively small, whereby the merchant or exhibitor is enabled to eflect a considerable economy, the several supporting frames or bars of the rack providing accommodations for conveniently displaying a considerable quantity of merchandise in compact relation and within the relatively small floor space occupied by the fixture as a whole; at the same time, the merchandise is attractively displayed, is conveniently accessible particularly when the displaying frames are in so-called open position, and sales thereot greatly promoted and facilitated. The fixture as a whole may be readily and inexpensively constructed and will withstand considerable usage without repairs or replacement of parts, and when arranged or located within an enclosing cabinet or casing, as shown in Figure 6, is protected, as is also the merchandise displayed, from dust, dirt, and the like, an opening of the doors D of the cabinet or casing readily permitting movement of the several displaying frames to open position.

It is to be understood that changes in the form. construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the fixture may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A fixture of the class described including a pair of spaced standards and a merchandise-displaying member mounted upon the standards for travel back and forth therebetween, in combination with a second merchandise displaying member, means comprising an arm pivoted upon one of the standards for supporting the second displaying-member for swingable movement relatively to the standards, and a link pivotally connected to the list displaying-member and to and adjacent the free end of the arm, whereby on swingable movement of the second displayingmember, the first displaying-member will be caused to travel between the standards, the arm being angularly formed at its free end to dispose the second displaying-member substantially parallel with the first displaying-member and approximatelyat right angles to the vertical plane of the standards when said displayingmembers are in normal closed position.

2. A fixture of the class described including a pair of spaced standards and a merchandise displaying member mounted upon the standards for travel back and forth therebetween, in combination with a pair of oppositely disposed second merchandise-displaying members, means comprising arms pivoted upon the standards tor supporting the second displaying-members tor swingable movement relatively to and between the standards, and links pivotally connected to the first displaying-member and to and adjacent the free ends of the arms, whereby on swing-able movement ot' the second displaying-members, the first displaying-member will be caused to travel between the standards, said arms being angularly formed at their free ends to dispose the second displaying-members in end to end alignment substantially parallel with the first displaying-member and approximately at right angles to the vertical plane of the standards when said displaying-members are in normal closed position.

3. A fixture of the class described including a pair of spaced standards provided with track-ways and a merchandise displaying member mounted for rolling movement upon the track-ways for travel back and forth between the standards, in combination with means comprising a pair of oppositely disposed second merchandise displaying members mounted pivota-lly for swinging movement upon the standards and links pivotally connectin both the second displaying members with the first displaying member for causing the first displaying member to travel between the standards.

a. A fixture of the class described comprising, in combination, a pair of spaced standards, a merchandise displaying-memher having rolling engagement with the standards for travel back and forth therebetween, a pair of oppositely-disposed second merchandise displaying-members mounted for swinging movement upon and between the standards, and links pivotally connected to the second members and to the first member for synchronizing the swinging movements of the second members with reciprocatory movement of the first member,

5. A fixture of the class described comprising, in combination, a pair of spaced standards, rack-ways on the standards, a merchandise displaying-frame disposed vertically between the standards, supporting pinions for the frame having meshing engagement with the rack-ways for carrying the frame reciprocatorily back and forth between the standards, a pair of oppositelydisposed second merchandise displayingframes mounted for swinging movement upon and also between the standards, and links pivotally connected to the second frames and to the first frame.

6. The combination with an enclosing cabinet, of a fixture including a merchandise displaying-member mounted for movement back and forth within the cabinet, arms pivoted within the cabinet for swingable movement both within and exteriorly of the cabinet, a second member adapted for the display of merchandise carried by said arms and disposed in spaced relation to, and forwardly of, the first member and comprising a pair of oppositely disposed frames adapted for movement with the arms both within and without the cabinet, said frames normally extending in alignment in advance of and obstructing access to the first member, and links pivotally connecting both said frames with the first member, the first member being movable relatively to the cabinet on swinging movement of the frames and said frames when swung apart affording access to both the first and second members.

In testimony whereof, I have signed. my name to this specification.

MILTON D. MENDLE. 

